BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY

By Bob Myhan

or by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).

hen one is scripturally baptized, he enters the body, church or kingdom of Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13,18). Some assert that the above passage is speaking of "Holy Spirit baptism." They argue that water baptism is administered by a man and cannot be the baptism that puts a person into the "one body," but Holy Spirit baptism being performed by Jesus is the baptism that puts a person into the "one body." However, only the apostles were ever promised Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:1-5; 2:1-11). When the gospel was preached on Pentecost the people were told, “Repent, and be baptized…for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). And "they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). Since Peter was speaking as the Spirit gave him utterance (Acts 1:4), and the people were baptized in response to Peter’s command, it may be legitimately said that the Holy Spirit baptized them via the agency of Peter, just as Jesus earlier baptized through the agency of the apostles (John 4:1,2). The same thing happened later at Corinth under the inspired preaching of Paul (Acts 18:1-8).

hen the Holy Spirit was the element in which men were baptized Jesus was the baptizer (Matthew 3:11). And the Holy Spirit is never said to have baptized in Himself. As already pointed out, there is "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) not two or more. The element of the "one baptism" is water, rather than the Holy Spirit, because water baptism is a command and is for the remission of sins while Holy Spirit baptism was never a command and was not for the remission of sins. Thus, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul was speaking of water baptism not Holy Spirit baptism.

his does not mean, however, that the man who baptizes an individual puts that person into the "one body." It was the Lord who said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16), and it was the Lord who "added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). So, when a penitent believer is baptized for the remission of sins, he is then saved by the Lord and added by the Lord to His church. &

OUR HERITAGE IN CHRIST

By Bob Myhan

t this time of year, Americans are particularly aware of their common heritage. A heritage is usually an inheritance of material property, rights, traditions or ideas that one receives through the gracious act(s) of another, or others. The nature of our American heritage is political, social and economic. Its foundation is the valiant, courageous, and determined efforts of from 4,000-12,000 men who shed their blood "in order to form a more perfect union." Its elements are such things as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to free assembly, and due process of law. Yes, we Americans have a great heritage, indeed, because of these patriots.

ut Christians (whether in the USA or The People’s Republic of China) have a far greater heritage in Christ (Gal. 3:26-29). Let us consider, briefly, the nature, foundation and elements of our heritage in Christ.

he nature of our heritage is spiritual and holy. “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

t is also royal. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2: 9-10).

ts foundation is “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:17-21; see also Rom. 3:21-26). He was “the Lamb of God,” the antitype of all typical sacrifices (John 1:29-34). He was ordained as such “from the foundation of the world” (2 Tim. 1:8-9; Titus 1:1-2; Rev. 13:8; Gen. 3:14-15).

he elements of our heritage in Christ are “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3-14). Among these is “the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7) and freedom from the bondage of sin (John 8:31-36; Rom. 6:18-22). We also enjoy freedom from condemnation (Rom. 7:24-25; 8:1), freedom from the curse of law (Gal. 3:1-14, 19-29), freedom from fear (Rom. 8:12-15; 1 John 2:1-2) and freedom from religious division (John 17:20-21).

e also have the privilege of direct contact, via the avenue of prayer, with the head of our government at any time of day or night and at any place on this earth. Lastly, and most importantly, we have an eternal home in heaven (Rom. 8:16-25; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

ndeed, as Maurice Barnett said in an email to this writer, “Ours is a freedom unlike any that man ever had before and it does not have Social Security in our old age to look forward to but an eternal retirement.”

re you glad, dear reader, that you are an American? You have every right to be. You should be thankful to God that you were born in a “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” But, more importantly, you should be glad you are a citizen in heaven. And you should be thankful to God for the opportunity to become one of its citizens, to have so great a heritage in Christ. Yes, we have a far greater heritage as Christians than we do as Americans. &

ANOTHER LOOK AT ACTS 20:7

By Bob Myhan

hen He instituted the Lord's Supper, Jesus said, "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matt 26:29, KJV).

he first occurrence of the word “drink” is in the aorist tense, which implies “I will not drink at all, not even one time.” The second occurrence of the word is in the present tense, implying a repeated drinking, rather than a one-time drinking.

he phrase "drink it new" means “drink it in a new way.” No longer having a physical body Jesus does not physically drink the fruit of the vine but that He drinks it spiritually.

he phrase "until that day," does not mean “until the kingdom age” for He identified the kingdom age by the phrase “in my Father’s kingdom.” Therefore, "until that day" refers to a particular, regular day, during the Kingdom age, on which He would drink of the "fruit of the vine" with His disciples. This implies an unstated frequency of drinking.

e know the day and frequency by the “account of action” in Acts 20:7. Thus, this example is a pattern to be followed. We are to “show the Lord’s death” by eating the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week because that is the day when He drinks the fruit of the vine “new” with us. &